COREY BALBUENA
​

 PictureCOREY BALBUENA
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States.

Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel?
“Mickey, Go Boom!” is a story about fatherhood, and I think that came about because my wife Chelsey and I were awaiting the birth of our first son, Jack, when I developed the idea. In fact, I wrote some of the first draft before he was born, and the rest in the weeks afterwards. For months I kept thinking about how I wanted to be a good father to my son, and I think that feeling made its way into Judd’s character, because what drives him is his desire to become someone deserving of a spot in his daughter’s life.

How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN?
It has taken close to five months, but most of that has been in the form of minor revisions and reader feedback. My process usually starts with an idea or a concept that feels different or new. I sit with it for a while, until I have an idea of who the main characters are, then I create an outline and write directly in the outline file. I revise until the characters feel more lived-in, and the dialogue feels natural, then I work on getting feedback to see if there is anything that needs to be revised.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I want to create characters that stick with people, and stories that people can relate to. I would really love it “Judd” became someone’s favorite superhero, and for his story to connect with people in a positive way. If my characters meant something to somebody somewhere, I would be incredibly proud of that.
​
Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
It was a full script submission. Both options looked great, but I really wanted to see how the full script would perform, and what kind of feedback it would receive from such established readers.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
My favorite television show is Peacemaker. I love the tone combination of dark comedy and action, and the Peacemaker character is written and portrayed incredibly well. My favorite movie is A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. I think the dream power idea was such a cool addition to the franchise, and the execution was just amazing. The main characters being traumatized youths who each have their own
traumas and hardships made you really root for them.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Don’t give up! Keep working on your script, keep getting actionable feedback and revise when needed. Some things take time to reach a competitive form. I have been working on this script for several months, and every day it is closer to where it needs to be. It’s not a race, it’s a journey!

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I have an indie comic book company called Angry Skwrl Comics, and I am currently working on a comic book series called The Experiments with an amazing artist named Lee J. Giles, a comic book series called Doom Slayers that I am writing with Daniel Ariel and is illustrated by the incredible HailEgeg Studios, and a manga series called Princess Of Demons. The Experiments #0-2 and Princess Of Demons Chapter 1 are out now, with more coming soon.